Handbag frame



P v H|E RING I 2,078,495

HANDBAG FRAME Filed Nov. 15, 1955 ATTORN EY Patented Apr. 27, 1937 UNITED STATES PATT OFFICE HANDBAG FRAME Delaware Application November 15, 1935, Serial No. 49,891

2 Claims.

This invention relates to frames for ladies hand bags; and more particularly to a frame which tends to remain closed automatically.

Numerous expedients have been provided,

heretofore, for latching hand bag frames in order to prevent the same from being surreptitiously opened. However, such expedients have re quired the use of latching means and do not depend upon the inherent qualities of the frame itself.

It is an object of this invention to provide a frame for ladies hand bags which automatically closes due to the inherent characteristics of the structure of the frame itself, and which requires no latches or similar expedients to maintain the bag closed.

A further object is the provision of an automatically self-closing hand bag frame which provides a unique and ornamental appearance; at

the same time enabling easy access to the contents of the hand bag.

These and other advantageous objects, which will later appear, are accomplished by the simple and practical construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and exhibited in the accompanying drawing, forming part hereof, and

in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the hand bag frame in a closed position,

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the frame in an open position,

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the frame,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the frame showing the manner in which the bag covering material is attached thereto, and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view, in section, taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3, showing the manner in which frame members are hingedly connected.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown a frame for ladies hand bags, comprising arcuate frame members 6 and l hingedly connected at B as shown in Fig. 2. Said frame members are hingedly connected respectively at 9 and ID to arcuate members H and I2 which are hingedly connected at l3. The frame members 6 and 'l bow outwardly while the frame members H and i2 bow inwardly; and the members i I and I2 are designed to have substantially the same length and curvature as the members 5 and I so that they snugly fit within the members 6 and i when the bag is in a closed position as shown in Fig. 1.

It will be obvious that when the frame members H and I2 are moved toward the members 6 and l,

they act in the nature of a toggle which attains its maximum strength when the members I I and [2 are substantially in alignment. When the members I I and I2 are moved beyond the position of alignment toward the members 6 and 1, obviously the toggle has been broken and an appreciable force is necessary in order to move the members H and I2 to a position shown in Fig. 2. In other words, the inherent structure of the frame causes the frame members H and H to snugly rest against the members 6 and 1, naturally without the use of latches or expedients for holding the frame members together. This action is automatic and it is obvious that any attempt to move the members H and I2 to a position shown in Fig. 2, that is, to a position where the bag is open, would require the exertion of a force which would attract the attention of a person using the hand bag.

The members 6 and 1 are provided with shoulders l9 or similar means adapted to abut each other and limit movement of members 6 and 1 during the closing of the frame. Similarly, the opening of the bag is limited by the abutting of member l2 with member H.

The bag covering material I4 is preferably clamped in inlays l5 which are clinched into the frame members by means of bendable tabs 16 as shown in Fig. 4. However, it is herein noted that the invention is not confined to bag covering material attached to frame members in such a manner.

From the above description it will be seen that I have provided an automatic self-closing hand bag frame which will remain in the closed position without resort to latches or other expedients; and which can be opened only upon the exertion of a noticeable force which would attract the attention of a person using the bag.

At the same time, the frame presents a wide opening for a hand bag, which enables ready access to the contents thereof, in contradistinction to hand bags heretofore used in which the volume of the bag itself is limited by the structure of the frame.

Obviously, a hand bag embodying a frame according to my invention can be of considerable volume and accommodate many more articles, access to which is facilitated, than heretofore has been possible.

The foregoing disclosure is to be regarded as descriptive and illustrative only, and not as restrictive or limitative of the invention, of which obviously embodiments may be constructed including many modifications without departing from the general scope herein indicated and denoted in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. A hand bag frame, comprising a pair of arcuate frame members hingedly connected to each other and outwardly bowed, and a second pair of arcuate frame members hingedly connected to each other and inwardly bowed, said second pair of frame members being hingedly connected to the first pair of frame members, said second pair of frame members having substantially the same curvature as and fitting closely to the first pair of frame members when the frame is closed, each of said frame members being an outwardly opening channel with a side wall and top and bottom flanges, the side wall of the first frame member of an adjacent pair of frame members having an extension bent back upon extension bent to form a smaller bearing in alignment with the first named bearing and a pivot pin extending through a flange of said second frame member and said bearings.

2. A hand bag frame, comprising a pair of arcuate frame members hingedly connected to each other and outwardly bowed, and a second pair of arcuate frame members hingedly connected to each other and inwardly bowed, said second pair of frame members being hingedly connected to the first pair of frame members, said second pair of frame members having substantially the same curvature as and fitting closely to the first pair of frame members when the frame is closed, each of said frame members being an outwardly opening channel with a side wall and top and bottom flanges, the side wall of the first frame member of an adjacent pair of frame members having an extension bent back upon itself to provide a bearing, and the side wall of the second frame member having a cut-out portion to receive said bearing, said second frame member having its side wall provided with an extension bent to form a smaller bearing in alignment with the first named bearing and a pivot pin extending through a flange of said second frame member and said bearings, a plurality of spaced tabs on said bottom flanges, and channelled inlays resting on said bottom flanges and held in position by said tabs.

WILLIAM C. HIERING. 

